robbneu

Re: Liefeld's Titans

Re: Liefeld's Titans Okay, I finally picked up my small comics collection and eagerly read the new Teen Titans comic... since it's become one of my favorite series, and... ugh. I don't mind Liefeld as much as some of the other posters here, but I have to echo Zeropoint's statement about how none of the pages in the issue seemed related to anything else in the comic. On more than one occasion, I actually turned back to check that I didn't accidentally miss a page or two. Not sure who is to blame here, Liefeld or Simone, but the entire issue was choppy to the point of being almost incomprehesible. Also, aside from Liefeld's stylistic touches (huge thighs, tiny mouths and eyes, enormous amounts of hair), I felt some of the characters were protrayed very poorly. Tim Drake, at least when I've seen him, has been fairly small and even thin, nothing like the muscle-bound hulk he looks like in TT27. Liefeld really made an effort to make Raven look like her old self, especially in her "secret ID," but Cyborg was a complete miss. Not only did he look like he was dressed as Cable for Halloween, but his dialog was all off: "Kid, no one wants to hurt you. But you threaten us again and we'll find a new place to put those grenades of yours." That doesn't sound like the Cyborg I know. And: "That skinny girl's in love with gutterballs, I swear. It hurts to look..." Huh? I can't see Cyborg refering to any of his teammates as "that skinny girl," least of all someone he has fought alongside for years. Maybe I'm just getting too old for this "kinetic" storytelling, but I was disappointed in Teen Titans #27 for a lot of reasons, Liefield's artwork only being a part of it. Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? That does sound like an interesting story. I've read the first 20 issues or so of the Authority, but missed the backstory. I'm a little sorry that I did. It sounds pretty involved. Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? You're right. In the rush to defend the "cowardly" heroes who refuse to take a life, I left out "generally" in my declarations of what a hero does and doesn't do. For example, the final showdown between Batman and the Joker in "The Dark Knight Returns" was very well done. It wasn't about angst and remorse, but the Batman's decision to finally end the Joker's crimes felt very satisfying and fit with the characters involved. Is that kind of action appropriate for Superman? Maybe. Spiderman? I don't know. Probably not. As I said, it's an interesting issue and I've enjoyed reading the points posted that counter my own feelings. I don't think there is a genre is better suited for the examination of moral issues than superheroes. Oh, and don't discount your abilities and influence in real life, Neil. When "Management Trainer from Michigan Hero" comes out, you'll see the wide scope of actions you have available to you. Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? So, now we're killing the Joker while he's trying to escape? See, the discussion keeps shifting, ever so slightly, into completely different scenarios and it changes the heart of the debate. The scenario that you're presenting is that the Joker is breaking out of Arkham and while he's on his way out the door, someone (Batman?) comes by and snaps his neck? The threat of lethal violence has kept a number of dangerous people in prison, so maybe that's an okay circumstance. I'm still hestitant to agree with it, though, because the way it's being presented is that "but he's escaping!" is being used as an excuse to do something that the person wants to do anyway. What was being hinted at earlier in the thread was that Batman or Superman or whomever was morally bound to kill the Joker, when given the chance, to prevent any future deaths from happening. I don't buy that, because what you're doing is punishing someone for crimes that he may potentially commit in the future. The bottom line is that we're not going to agree. Part of it is because of these constantly shifting dynamics and another part of it is because even though I keep pointing out that we're talking about a different sort of moral reality, you keep pulling in real world issues. Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? You're right... not all superheroes exist in Superman's more clear-cut moralistic world. I'm likely simplifying things a little too much, just to make my point a little stronger. Maybe the question really should be, "How do you feel about classic superheroes that kill?" I'm arguing that a classic, true-blue superhero shouldn't kill... ever. The heroes in books like The Authority aren't classic heroes and they're not in the same universe as the so-called classic heroes like Superman, Spiderman, and the Avengers. Maybe this is yet another case of "when in Rome..." In the Authority world, killing is often valid and necessary... I just don't see it as particularly heroic, even if it is a necessary evil for their times.

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? If that isn't a case of being the judge, jury and executioner, I don't know what is. Can you be certain that the Joker will kill again and again? Sure, historically, that's what he does... he's a psychopath and delights in murdering innocent people, but does that mean he will kill again? As crazy as he is, maybe one day he'll decide that watercolors, rather than murder, is the true expression of a sociopathic soul. Then again, maybe not. How can you be certain enough to murder him? Is a hunch reason enough to justify killing another person? The problem with a debate like this is that we all edit the circumstances a bit to fit our views. It starts as an Uber-Joker who will destroy the universe if he isn't stopped to just your garden-variety villain who might kill a family down the street to heroic figures in histories and wars that didn't have superheroes. It's not really an honest debate. And, even if we do manage to find a level playing field and restrictive circumstances, we're still going to go with what he feel is ethically right, which isn't something that you can really debate with facts. Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill?

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? Beating up on Superman for having a higher set of ethics has become a popular sport, especially since the protrayal of him in "The Dark Knight Returns," and it's unfortunate. No one ever goes after Spiderman and the two characters basically have the same moral outlook. The difference is their power level and I just don't understand why Superman should have any greater responsibility to sacrifice his moral beliefs just because he's on a different scale than Spiderman. To me, he has an even stronger responsibility to adhere to his ethics. In Superman's case, it's not just "with great power comes great responsibility," but "with greater power comes greater responsibility." Robb

Re: How do you feel about Superheroes that kill? I tend to like to play my heroes as true heroes that don't believe in killing their foes. Taking in a foe, alive, takes a little more skill... a little more effort... and speaks to a higher code of ethics (belief in a fair system, no man can set himself up as the law, etc.). I've also gotten an enjoyable amount of mileage from playing the "quaint" or "naive" hero in a less principled team. A stand against killing, or a defiance to "stooping to their level," just seems more heroic to me. It's an intriguing puzzle, though. Walking the line definitely would have its dramatic pay-offs. Robb

Re: UNITY 2010: A New Champions Campaign Bill, This is all really good stuff. Thanks for posting your campaign's progress! Regarding the issue of the attraction of archers in a superpowered world... I think that part of the draw lies in the added challenge of playing a "normal" man or woman whose skill allows them to stand among their godlike allies. A hero who is essentially just a normal person has to be *that* much more clever, *that* much more lucky, etc. to survive. The talented normal archtype has really interested me lately for that very reason and can add a lot of drama to otherwise mundane encounters. "Bow-string Bob is standing against Grond? Why? He's just a man!?" "Because it's the right thing to do and someone has to do it!" Etc. etc. Also, as Bill hinted at, the talented normal types often have a much wider range of skills than your average hero, so they get to be the weapon master, the detective, the martial artist, all in one. It makes for a character that may not necessarily be the solution for all of the problems, but is still someone who can participate in most situations. Robb

Re: Iyo: The Most Underrated Or Underused Character In Comics It's nice to see all the Alpha Flight love on here. All this time I thought I was one of the very few people who counted Alpha Flight as one of my favorites (who have spent there *entire* careers in the "superhero ghetto"). I can't say that I blame Byrne for any horrible slight against them, but writer after writer, they seem to exist solely for being tortured. Sometimes that made for some really great stories... other times you just felt like the team couldn't get a break, no matter what they did. Kind of like Daredevil in the 80s. It's not hard to draw up a list of underused characters, though. Look at Iceman in the X-Men. I haven't read any of the X-Books in years, but most of the time, Bobby Drake exists only as scenary. I mentioned The Question in another thread. The Rachel Summer's version of Pheonix was a really neat idea that was drained of anything useful or interesting. I don't even know what she's doing or if she even exists any more. I also used to really like the Elementals, but they seem doomed to a glut of "mature only" sex issues and only being published every two years. Robb

Re: Punisher Vs Batman

Re: A Higher (point) Authority:The Authority conversions Nexus, It's been a lot of fun following your progress. I never really got much past issue #12, but these have been interesting write-ups (and provided some information I didn't know about). Thanks for posting! Robb

Re: [GM asks your HELP] Ambient Music QuestionMan, I'm not trying to nit-pick, but "ambient" music is generally thought of as a subgenre within the electronic music genre. This is the sort of stuff that Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream pioneered in the 70s and 80s, before being picked up again by a number of other musicians who pushed things out of the "swirling pads" style that started the genre. What you're describing sounds more like "atmospheric" or "soundtrack" or even "world" music. Now, after being horribly snotty (sorry!), I guess I should try to help. I'm guessing that you're not looking to purchase anything, so your best bet is to look at stuff being done by unsigned artists. A lot of music by unsigned artists or music hobbyists can be downloaded for free. A great place to start is: http://www.soundclick.com/ For the stuff you're asking about, try "World" then maybe any of the "Traditional" subgenres listed. You probably wont find much in terms of jungle sounds, but the music might fit what you're looking for, if you dig deep enough. Good luck! Robb

Re: Goofy Villains My goofiest villain was a take off on the Producer from Allston's Strike Force. He called himself "Matinee" and set up elaborate "public viewings" of his movie remakes. For example, he developed an army of robotic zombies that homed in on any famous Barbara ("They're coming to get you, Barbara!")... at the time, Barbara Bush and Barbara Striestand (sp?). The zombies didn't actually hurt anyone and wouldn't... they'd just grapple with innocent bystanders and drool on them, gumming them with their toothless mouths. He followed that up with an alien invasion, a la "War of the Worlds," and had a number of other plots in the wings. He was more of an annoyance than anything... completely insane and with no idea that his remakes weren't popular entertainment for the masses. When he had finally been locked up, his schtick was taken up by a group of resourceful punks who called themselves the Matinee Idols and basically consisted of your stereotypical indie filmmakers. Because they were more interested in the "Pulp Fiction" style of doing things their "movies" tended to be more brutal and dangerous (and therefore less amusing). Robb

Re: Champions/V&V Conversions

Re: Champions/V&V Conversions Doh! Now I have to produce something! Okay... I'll try to get a conversion of Force up tonight or tomorrow (the version of him in F.O.R.C.E., not Assassin). Then, I'll work my way through the rest of the villains in the adventure. Anyone care to join me in converting V&V characters? If it helps, I created a spreadsheet to help in the conversion process, using a combination of the old 3rd edition conversion provided in "The Pentacle Plot" and Oruncrest's guidelines posted here. I can post a copy of it if anyone wants to use it. Robb

Re: Champions/V&V Conversions Oruncrest, thanks for the updated conversion notes. Its been a long time since I've looked at the "official" conversion, so I can't point out any differences, but what you have looks great. And thanks, ChaosDrgn, for PDFing the notes provided by Oruncrest. A long time ago (back in 3rd edition days), I converted over the villain agency from "The Pentacle Plot." I think they were called Tarot or something. I have no idea if I still have those character sheets... like I said, it's been a long time. I might be easily convinced to convert over FORCE, if anyone is interested. I always liked those modules. Plus, it would give me an excuse to play around with Hero Designer for a while. Robb

Re: Batman's two-wall jump My point was, if this is being purchased as a power (as I think most people are considering) and Batman *never* misses, don't add the "Requires a Skill Roll" limitation to it. If the GM allows characters to ping-pong off buildings and walls to climb by just making a skill roll, then Batman, like everyone else, should have to roll. Robb